A new centurion for Genk: Anderlecht invited to Arokodare's party and leave empty-handed

Genk's Nigerian striker, Tolu Arokodare, reached a significant milestone in his career as he made his 100th appearance for the club in their thrilling 2-1 victory against Anderlecht on Sunday, in the Jupiler Pro League's Championship playoff.

While Arokodare didn't get on the scoresheet during the match, his presence was vital to Genk's success. 

The game saw Genk go ahead early with a brilliant strike from Joris Kayembe, who found the top right corner of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. 

Anderlecht responded in the second half with a goal from Cesar Saul Huerta Valera, who powered a header into the left post to equalize at 1-1.

The match remained tight, but Zakaria El Ouahdi sealed the win for Genk in the 84th minute, showing perfect technique to score a stunning first-time effort from just outside the box. 

Arokodare, who had been substituted in the 76th minute, can take pride in reaching the century mark in appearances, a milestone that highlights his consistent performances for the Belgian side since joining.

In those 100 matches, Arokodare has managed an impressive 12 assists and 37 goals, solidifying his position as one of the top attackers in Belgium. 

His journey to this point was not without its challenges, as he initially needed a period of running in. 

However, under the guidance of former Genk manager Thorsten Fink, Arokodare developed into one of the best strikers in the country. 

The 24-year-old attacker is now at the top of the Jupiler Pro League’s goal-scoring rankings, a testament to his talent, hard work, and development.

Arokodare's impressive performances in Belgium earned him a well-deserved call-up to the Nigerian national team last month during the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

He made his debut for the Super Eagles against Rwanda, under the guidance of new coach Eric Chelle, marking an exciting new chapter in his international career.

With his potential continuing to rise, the future looks bright for the young striker, both at the club and international levels.

Wale Adejumo

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